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Nyepi, the Balinese 'Day of Silence'

Every year, Hindus on the Indonesian island of Bali celebrate Nyepi, the Balinese New Year's Day. Nyepi is a day of silence, reserved for self-reflection, where people stay home and are not allowed to use lights, start fires, work, travel or enjoy entertainment -- even tourists are asked not to leave their hotels. However, the days surrounding Nyepi are anything but silent - several rituals of offering and cleansing take place before and after New Year's Day, to rid worshipers of past evils and bestow good fortune in the year ahead. Devotees burn huge demonic effigies, whip each other with fiery coconut husks, give prayers and offerings, and young couples are doused with water during a lively kissing festival. Gathered here are images from Nyepi rituals in Bali and other parts of Indonesia over the past few years.

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A Balinese man hits another with a burned coconut husk during the "Mesabatan Api" ritual a head of Nyepi Day in Gianyar, Bali, Indonesia, on March 30, 2014. Mesabatan Api is held annually a day before the Nyepi Day of Silence, symbolizing the purification of the universe and human body through fire. Nyepi is a Hindu celebration observed every new year according to the Balinese calendar. The national holiday is one of self-reflection and meditation -- activities such as working, watching television or traveling are restricted between the hours of 6 a.m. and 6 p.m.
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A Balinese woman prays while in a trance during the Melasti Ceremony at a beach on March 28, 2014 in Badung, Bali, Indonesia. The Melasti ritual is held annually ahead of the Nyepi Day of Silence, a ceremony intended to cleanse and purify the souls of the Balinese Hindu participants.
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Balinese Hindu devotees carry an Ogoh-ogoh effigy during a parade in Surabaya, Indonesia, on March 30, 2014. Balinese Hindus hold an Ogoh-ogoh parade annually on the day before Nyepi (Silence Day). The Ogoh-ogoh represents the form of demons or the expression of bad traits, made by local artists, that are used to purify the environment.
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Balinese giant effigies, locally known as Ogoh-ogoh, representing evil spirits, during a parade to celebrate Nyepi, an annual day of silence marking Balinese Hindu new year in Bali, on March 29, 2014.
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A Balinese man kicks up fire during the "Mesabatan Api" ritual ahead of Nyepi Day in Gianyar, Bali, on March 30, 2014. Mesabatan Api is held annually a day before the Nyepi Day of Silence, symbolizing the purification of universe and human body through fire.
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A Balinese resident patrols Kuta beach, a famous tourist spot, during Nyepi, or Silence Day, in Bali, on March 16, 2010. Hindus were celebrating their new year by observing a day of silence in which they stay inside their homes and meditate in silence and darkness for the entire day.
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A young Balinese man tries to kiss a woman during the Kissing Festival known as "Omed-Omedan" at Sesetan village in Denpasar, Bali, on April 1, 2014. The kissing festival is held annually, one day after Balinese Hindus celebrate the Nyepi Day of Silence. During the festival, Balinese youths gather first to pray, then to kiss and dance as spectators douse the teenagers with water. The festival is intended to fend off bad luck in the year ahead.
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A young Balinese couple embrace during the Kissing Festival known as Omed-Omedan in Sesetan village, on April 1, 2014. Locals believe the festival ensures the good health of those taking part and prevents bad luck hitting the village. During the ritual, village priests dump buckets of water over couples to douse their passions.
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